ATTITUDE OF THE HAYES ADMINISTRATION TOWARD THE SOUTH The new administration had been in power only a short while before it became apparent to southern Republicans that they had very little to expect from this administration.

It was generally understood that a southern man would be made Postmaster General in the new cabinet, but it was assumed, of course, by those, at least, who were not fully informed about the secret deals and bargains that had been entered into as a condition precedent to a peaceable inauguration of the new administration,--that he would be a Republican.
Senator Alcorn, of my own State, Mississippi, who had just retired from the Senate, had an ambition to occupy that position.

I was one to whom that fact was made known.

I did not hesitate to use what little influence I had to have that ambition gratified.

I was so earnest and persistent in pressing his claims and merits upon those who were known to be close to the appointing power, that I succeeded in finding out definitely and authoritatively the name of the man that had been agreed upon and would, no doubt, be appointed to that position.